Handle Assembly and Mobility System for Floor Cleaner

ABSTRACT

A handle assembly is used with a vibration reducing interface with vibrating equipment which uses eccentrics to induce oscillation vibrations and tools, machines or other equipment which uses pumps, compressor, motors, spinning elements or out of balance loads or inconsistent, variable loading as in equipment with irregular or erratic motion which induces vibration, in the preferred embodiment using tiers or using the prior circular elements to do so. The handle assembly is easy to operate and also permits attachment to larger vibration plates, which can also have wheels or other transport mechanisms mounted on the vibration plate to permit the unit to be easily transported through conventional door frames and doorways.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to vibration dampeners and vibration dampening systems, particularly related to vibrating floor scrubber machines or the like having a mechanism for controlling the vibration encountered by the user at a manually engageable element or handle.

BACKGROUND

Even with the extensive emphasis or ergonomics in the workplace over the past decades and particularly the issues highlighted when workers are operating machinery, no one has satisfactorily reduced vibrations. Anyone who absorbs machine vibration through their hands and arms while working a fast-moving tool or through the buttocks and soles of the feet while riding in or standing near vibrating machinery runs the risk of enduring vibration syndrome, defined as vasospastic, neuromuscular, arthritic disorders of the hands and upper limbs. The syndrome is a composite of vibration induced signs and symptoms (e.g., numbness, tingling of the fingers, episodic blanching of the fingers, pain, reduced grip strength, and/or reduced dexterity). Raynaud's Syndrome and White Finger Syndrome are also associated with ergonomic vibration. Typical early onset symptoms are discomfort from cold, tingling, numbing, blanching fingers and various other pains. Long-felt need exists for an effective reducer of vibration without disrupting the effectiveness of the tool or machine being utilized.

Additionally, a need exists for a handle assembly that makes the lower vibration product much easier to use, as well as permit a larger product to be used while still be able to transport the larger product through conventional door frames/doorways, particularly in floor sanders or floor cleaning apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses this long-felt need and issue by providing a vibration dampener and/or dampening system that reduces vibration significantly while not impacting the use of the device being utilized by the user. Notably, a handle assembly is disclosed which has ease in control for the lower vibration unit for a floor sander or floor cleaning apparatus and also provides an ability to have a larger unit that is manageable in conventional doorways.

An oscillating floor scrubbing machine generates vibrations that are potentially harmful to the operators of these machines. A vibration dampening element such as one that includes a system of ties that are interconnected with vibration isolators can be effective in lessening any potential for such harm from the vibrations of the machine.

A handle element is described that uses casters, Wheel Ball Transfer Units, ball casters or any type of multiple direction transportation element to rest the handle element on the floor. This greatly increases the handling ability of the machine as the machine head while oscillating “floats” on the floor and the use of casters allows the user to grip the handle with less effort, reducing vibrations and to more easily move about the area. The handle element may be attached at any point forward of the rear of the machine.

The forward attachment arrangement with the handle mounted more forward of the rear of the machine head has a better fulcrum advantage for moving to the transport mode position by not lifting the weight of the machine but merely tilting it.

Current width of the entire machine is limited to the ability to push the machine through a door width of thirty (30) inches as a size to cover the door widths for most storage closets. The wheels that are mounted side by side vertical to the floor such that when the machine is pulled back into transport mode it must be pushed straight forward presenting the width of the machine.

Included here is the use of one or more wheels and one caster or more multiple direction wheels, such as casters, both mounted horizontally to the floor facing rearward on the machine head. This arrangement on the machine in conjunction with the multi-directional caster element on the handle allows the machine to travel in transport mode sideways presenting the sideways dimension. With the machine resting on one or more wheels and any number of multiple direction casters a machine of any width can be steered easily through a thirty (30) inch doorway allowing for machine designs of wider dimensions thereby increasing productivity.

Weighted plates may also be used to enhance the downward force of gravity to increase friction on the floor material to be removed. Any machine with the added weight is more difficult to transition into the transport mode, but with this invention it is easier than any current machine design. Current machine design with the traditional “stick” handles are even more difficult as the handles are attached at the rear of the machines and the machines are “cantilevered” making it more difficult as it has to be lifted as more weight is added, making this nearly impossible for women to operate.

This handle arrangement also allows for additional elements to be added to it to make the machine more user friendly.

The addition of a foot operated fulcrum added to the handle element and attached to the machine head may be used in such a way as when putting foot pressure on the fulcrum the machine head is tilted, not lifted, on the more advantageous forward attachment point, into the transport mode position.

A powered winch element may also be used. The handle element allows for the mounting of a motorized element driving a winch element that can use the power source driving the machine to be diverted to power the winch element by using the powered mechanical advantage to put the machine in transport mode, any amount of weights may be used to add friction to the floor and still be able to effortlessly raise the machine for transport. To facilitate the use of these elements it is realized that the weight of the machine may cause the handle to raise instead of the machine head to raise. The invention includes a foot bracing element but the machine can be used with or without, it is added for the express purpose of being able to place a foot on a bracing element to add the operator's weight to the handle, thereby causing the handle to gain the operators weight advantage directed to the fulcrum point. This is much easier than the current technology used on current machines, where big men struggle to get a fully weighted machine into transport mode.

One machine may also be attached to another such that the two machines act in tandem, tandem meaning one is in front of and offset of the other or side by side or one slightly ahead of the other but set diagonally to each other with overlapping or just touching coverage as one machine with one operator. This attaching in tandem allows for increased productivity by allowing for a much wider work path with reduced man hours and still have the capability of passing thru a thirty (30) inch doorway when detached from one another.

A wet and dry shop vacuum or any vacuum that can nest or attach to the handle can also be used here. The current technology with the “stick” handles of the currently marketed machines must use expensive backpack vacuums, which are altered to fasten to the stick handle. A “caddy” attachment about the handle for carrying chemicals and other accessories may also be used.

An attachment can also be used about the machine for a vessel to hold and supply water, liquid cleaners or strippers through a “spraying” attachment mounted about the machine for applying said chemicals to the path ahead of the machine head.

An attachment squeegee element may be set about the handle element, where the squeegee element is in fluid connectivity with the wet vacuum element in the handle element, which is positioned about the machine to vacuum up any wet chemicals used for stripping or maintaining floors. The squeegee element saves time and thereby increases productivity, which the current technology cannot do, and may be vacuumized also.

A safety element may also be included which turns the machine on and off, placed about the machine, with a button element, handle element or grip bar element which turns off the power to the machine if the operator releases the element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a vibration dampener handle separated from a machine with which it may be used, which also includes a wet/dry vacuum unit attached to the handle;

FIGS. 2 through 9 are elevational views of the handle of FIG. 1 mounted to a vibration dampener or dampening systems as described with a floor cleaning apparatus;

FIGS. 10 through 15 are elevated exploded perspective views of an alternative vibration dampener as described where the dampeners are disposed in a vertical position;

FIGS. 16 through 19 are exploded views of the vibration plate structure set forth in the floor cleaning apparatus of FIGS. 2 through 9;

FIGS. 20 through 23 are elevational views of the attachment mechanism between the handle system and the wet/dry vacuum cleaner;

FIGS. 24 through 26 illustrate a handle in the two end positions and an intermediate position (FIG. 25);

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate two units attached together in tandem; and

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of s trigger element for the handle grip as part of the starter mechanism (release of the grip stops the machine).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

What is disclosed here is a vibration reducing interface with vibrating equipment which uses eccentrics to induce oscillation vibrations and tools, machines or other equipment which uses pumps, compressor, motors, spinning elements or out of balance loads or inconsistent, variable loading as in a hammer drill device and any tool, machinery or other equipment with irregular or erratic motion which induces vibration. Examples of this type of equipment or machinery would include, but not be limited to, laundry equipment, air conditioners, pressure washers, landscaping equipment, hand tools, snow blowers, air handlers, part handling vibrators, construction equipment, weapons systems, cement mixers, kitchen appliances and other devices.

Even with the extensive emphasis or ergonomics in the workplace over the past decades and particularly the issues highlighted when workers are operating machinery, no one has satisfactorily reduced vibrations. Anyone who absorbs machine vibration through their hands and arms while working a fast-moving tool or through the buttocks and soles of the feet while riding in or standing near vibrating machinery runs the risk of enduring vibration syndrome, defined as vasospastic, neuromuscular, arthritic disorders of the hands and upper limbs. The syndrome is a composite of vibration induced signs and symptoms (e.g., numbness, tingling of the fingers, episodic blanching of the fingers, pain, reduced grip strength, and/or reduced dexterity). Raynaud's Syndrome and White Finger Syndrome are also associated with ergonomic vibration. Typical early onset symptoms are discomfort from cold, tingling, numbing, blanching fingers and various other pains. Long-felt need exists for an effective reducer of vibration without disrupting the effectiveness of the tool or machine being utilized.

Structural elements or multiple elements are disclosed separated by isolators into a tier or a series of tiers and positioned about the vibrating machine or vibrating element. Circular elements have enhanced vibration dampening characteristics, and are our preferred shape for this element; they may be positioned about each other in any orientation as required by the application, including one circular element within the other circular element. Individual mounting elements may be dispersed at numerous positions about a machine or tool with the isolators focused at the oscillation of the vibration signature as “pods.” The isolators may be adjustable and oriented to the axis of oscillation of the vibrating element, resulting in vibration dampening in all directions of the axis of oscillation. The structural elements have as an element isolated attachment points for the purpose of attaching to either a machine's structural framework to reduce metal fatigue and/or for the purpose of attaching a handle element for directing the machine in the direction and manner intended by the operator without receiving an excessive vibration signature to the handle grip area. This isolated attachment element may also include as an element a locking mechanism for locking the handle into the “transportation mode” configuration for getting the machine to its place of use.

A handle is disclosed here which, in FIGS. 2 through 9, is coupled with a floor sander or floor cleaning apparatus having a vibration element 100 approximately 40 inches in length, well beyond the 20 inch models conventionally used in the cleaning industry. The length of the various models is subject to the desires of the manufacturer and the customer, and can be mated with the same size or different sizes. The handle permits the vibration element to be tilted when being in transport mode and wheeled on wheels disposed on the side of the vibration element 100. Preferably one of the wheels is on a rotating caster and the other is fixed. The handle is detachable and attachable via bolts, pins or some similar attachment as shown.

A further disclosure here is shown for a vibration dampening system attached about a circular and/or oscillating floor machine. The system employs a series of structural elements separated by isolators and interconnected to form tiers. A handle element is attached about the isolated tiers with one or more isolated attachment elements. The handle element also employs a series of structural elements separated by isolators and interconnected to form tiers.

The vibration dampener as described is intended to reduce vibrations in vibrating equipment and is composed of vibration reducing isolated circular structures, assembled into a multi-segmented, isolated structural system assembled in tiers, with vibration isolators separating one tier element from other tier elements. The system may function as an interface between the vibrating element and the handle element or the machine's structural elements or may function as a vibration dampening element within the handle/handling/control element. The system (FIG. 2 through 9) is positioned about the equipment in an appropriate orientation to the vibration generating element.

Note that the system or product may be scaled up or down for the size of use and the number of tiers can be numerous if so desired. The support structure for the vibrating element, has the attachment points for the system to attach to on the one end and to the machines structural elements at the other. As the vibrations travel through the isolated structures, the vibration signature cascades through the event known as phase shifting. The system or product feature may be incorporated into the handle assembly, as an interface between the machine's structural element and the handle element or as an interface between the vibrating element and the machines structural elements to reduce metal fatigue in frame members.

As the vibrations travel through the isolated structures, the vibration signature cascades through the event known as phase shifting.

The isolators may be one piece or a multiple piece isolator consisting of multiple durometer isolators such that the effective durometer is the lower durometer isolator and the higher durometer isolator comes into effective use under higher vibration loading maximizing the phase shifting effect.

The tier that connects via isolators with the machine base is called the base tier and is the one to which the other tiers are attached. The tiers shape is circular or a series of circles to best diminish the shock wave and each tiers elements may be filled with a vibration dampening element to increase the vibration dampening effect of mass. Each tier has attachments to accommodate the isolators for attaching one tier to another tier. The tiers and the isolators can be oriented towards the axis of rotation of the vibration element to maximize the effective efficiency of the multiple durometer isolators (through phase shifting) and the effective efficiency of vibration dampening of the circle shape. The isolators in this structure are preferably staggered from one tier to the next tier so that they are not in alignment from one tier to the next, to minimize vibration transfer from one tier to the next. The shapes that the tiers take are not limited to circular shapes but may include all shapes, curved or straight and the isolators include all types of isolators.

The isolators may be one piece, multi-durometer or a multiple piece isolator consisting of multiple durometer isolators such that the effective durometer is the lower durometer isolator and the higher durometer isolator comes into effective use under higher vibration loading to maximize the phase shifting effect. The system may be scaled down for use on hand tools or may be scaled up for use on bigger, heavier machinery or equipment and the number of tiers are not limited.

In another embodiment, the vibration dampener is composed of vibration reducing isolated circular structures, assembled into a multi-segmented, isolated structural system assembled in tiers, with vibration isolators separating one tier element from other tier elements along the same axis.

The vibration dampening element and the isolators may be positioned about the equipment in an appropriate orientation to the vibration generating element and may be positioned in one or multiple positions about the equipment (FIGS. 10 to 15) to dampen extreme vibration signatures through additional phase-shifting. The vibration dampening element will reduce the vibrations that cause metal fatigue in structural members (frames) of machines and equipment.

A handle element is also disclosed which makes contact with the ground via wheels and or casters has an attachment of one connector or, preferably, two or more attachment points, and is either isolated or not isolated from the vibrating elements of the machine (FIGS. 2 through 9). In the preferred embodiment the two attachment points are isolated and are mounted with a pivoting attachment to allow for storing the handle in the upright position and for the transportation position for transporting from one location to another. The handle has as a grip element a foam type vibration dampening material for additional vibration dampening. The handle configuration allows for exceptional handling ability of the machine with one hand and also allows for turning around on its own axis with one hand. This arrangement also has as a benefit of limited or no training needed since it works like a standard vacuum cleaner.

FIGS. 24 through 26 illustrate a handle in the two end positions and an intermediate position (FIG. 25) as the handle moves from one extreme position to the other extreme position.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate two units attached together in tandem. What is shown is a twenty (20) inch unit and a forty (40) inch unit in tandem to have an approximately sixty (60) inch wide working area with only one operator. The size of the units can be the same or different than those shown, as desired by the manufacturer and/or the customer or user. The units could also be detached and used separately as desired.

An example of a safety element which needs to be gripped to turn the machine on and turns the machine off when release is shown in FIG. 29 as a grip bar element slidable in a pair of sleeve groups (one group on each side of the handle), which may be one sleeve. The grip bar turns off the power to the machine if the operator releases the element through a limit switch. The switch is de-activated when the grip is engaged (pulled up) and the machine is or can be started. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor cleaning machine with a vibration dampening system, comprising: a motor attached to a structural member; a reciprocating apparatus disposed between the structural member and a vibrating element wherein the vibrating element is adapted to interface with a floor surface for cleaning the floor surface wherein the reciprocating apparatus is operatively attached to the motor for actuating the reciprocating apparatus and causing vibration of the vibrating element; a mechanism to move the machine along the floor surface; and a handle assembly; wherein a vibration dampener is disposed between the structural member and a handle.
 2. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein a vacuum is attached to the handle assembly. 